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Route · Work as a truck or bus driver
Professional drivers
German: Berufskraftfahrer · Section 24a Employment Ordinance · Section 24a Employment Ordinance
If you already drive trucks or buses at home, Germany has a special route. The route is for drivers with a job offer. The contract includes training for the German licence and qualification, followed by a driver job with the same employer.
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No-obligation introductory call · Information last updated: November 2026
Truck and bus drivers
Needed, same employer
Up to 15 months
Check with your employer
In short
- 01
For people with a home-country driving licence for trucks or buses and a job offer from a German employer.
- 02
The work contract must allow you to get the German licence and the driver qualification within 15 months. Passing the tests is up to you.
- 03
The same employer must offer you a job as a driver for the time after the training.
General information to help you get oriented. For your own case the German authorities decide, and we are happy to talk it through with you.
01
What it is
Section 24a of the Employment Ordinance (BeschV) allows the Federal Employment Agency to agree to a job as a professional driver in goods transport or in bus passenger transport. It is made for people whose driving licence and driver qualification are not yet German or European.
You first work and train with one employer. The training leads to the licence and the driver qualification that Germany requires. After that, the same employer gives you a job as a driver. You apply for a national visa at the German mission responsible for where you live, and then receive the residence permit in Germany.
02
Who it is for
A good fit if you
- have a valid driving licence from your home country that fits the job, for example for trucks or buses
- have a job offer from a German employer who will train you
- are ready to take part in the training your contract names
- can show the language level that your employer and the German mission ask for
You do not need to tick every box today. Many people start by finding out which parts they still need.
Another route may suit you better
- You are not a driverThe skilled worker visa or vocational training (Ausbildung) may fit your background.
- You want to look for work in GermanyThe Opportunity Card lets you search on site.
- You have a full recognised qualificationRead about the recognition route.
Not sure this is your route?Compare the route guides and see which one fits your situation.
See all routes03
When it fits best
You drive trucks or buses and your licence is from a country outside the EU.
A German employer wants to hire you and will train you for the German licence and the driver qualification.
You want a job in a field with many open positions.
04
Conditions
The route has one main idea: a job offer, a short training period, then the same job with the same employer. Everyone also needs a valid passport and health insurance. The Federal Employment Agency has to agree to the job.
What Section 24a requiresBeschV
| Jobprofessional driver in goods transport or in bus passenger transport | Truck · Bus |
|---|---|
| Contract includes trainingyou take part in measures to get the German licence and qualification | Yes |
| Training timelicence, qualification and documents must be possible within this time | 15 months |
| Extra timepossible in a justified single case | up to 6 months |
| Job offer for after the trainingas a driver, with the same employer | Yes |
| Licence from homerelevant for the job you will do | Proof needed |
The Federal Employment Agency gives its agreement for up to 15 months. In a justified single case, up to 6 more months.
Extra rulesgood to know
| Age 45 or older at the start of the jobsalary of at least 55 % of the pension contribution ceiling, or proof of a pension plan | € 55,770 a year |
|---|---|
| German language levelset by the employer, the exams and the mission; the Employment Ordinance does not name a level | Check |
The salary figure is the figure for 2026 and can change each year. Exceptions can apply if the threshold is only slightly missed or if there is a regional or economic interest.
05
Steps and timing
- 01
Check your licence
You + employer · about 1 to 2 weeks
Collect your licence and its translation. The employer helps to see if it fits the job.
- 02
Find an employer and sign the contract
You + employer · varies
The contract names the training, the way to the German licence and qualification, and the later job as a driver.
- 03
Federal Employment Agency agreement
Employer + Federal Employment Agency · often several weeks
The Agency checks the job offer and the training plan.
- 04
Apply at the German mission
You + mission · waiting time varies
Book your appointment early. The mission checks your documents and passes them on.
- 05
Visa decision and travel
Mission · varies by mission
The visa is put in your passport. Then you can travel.
Train and get your qualification
You + employer + training school · up to 15 months
You get the German licence and the driver qualification. Then you start as a professional driver.
Time before you travelDepends on your country
Talk to our team06
Documents
- Passportvalid for the whole stay
- Biometric photos
- Application form and CV
- Driving licence from your home countrywith translation
- Proof of driving experience
- Any driver qualification you already hold
- Work contract with the training duty
- Job offer for the time after the training, from the same employer
- Training plan from the employer
- German certificateif the employer or mission ask for it
- Health insurance
Your certificates need the right stamps. An apostille (an official confirmation stamp) or legalisation by the German mission: it depends on the country that issued them. See the rules for your country
07
Life in Germany
15 months
training time to reach the German licence and qualification
+ 6 months
extra time possible in a justified case
Same employer
job as a driver after the training
No quota
this route has no yearly limit
08
Costs
| Visa feenational visa, paid at the German mission | € 75 |
|---|---|
| Residence permit in Germanyfirst permit | € 100 |
| Licence and qualification examspaid to the school and authorities; often covered by the employer | varies |
| Living costs in Germanyyour employer's salary usually covers this | see contract |
|---|
Official fees as of November 2026. They can change. Cost of training and exams depends on your employer and the training school.
09
Your future in Germany
Once you have your German licence and qualification, you work as a professional driver with the same employer. The time each step takes depends on your situation and on the law at that time.
- 01After the training
Driver job
You work as a truck or bus driver with your employer.
- 02Later
Change of employer
The permit is linked to the job. Ask the authority about the current rule before you plan a change.
- 03Later
Family and citizenship
Family reunion is generally possible with a work permit. Citizenship usually after 5 years of legal residence.
10
Tips for a strong application
- Ask the employer for the training plan. A clear plan shows how you reach the licence and qualification within the time.
- Keep your licence documents clean. Same names and dates on the licence, the passport and the CV.
- Learn driving German early. Road signs, traffic rules and exam questions are easier with some German.
- Check your age and salary. If you are 45 or older, the salary rule or a pension plan matters.
11
Questions
It is needed as proof that you can drive trucks or buses. For professional driving in Germany you then get the German licence and the driver qualification during the training period. The exact steps depend on your home country, so check the current rule.
Then the steps can be shorter. Which steps you still need depends on your licence and on the EU driver qualification. Ask your employer and the German mission.
In a justified single case, the agreement can be extended by up to 6 months. Planning the training well from the start helps.
The route is tied to one employer and the job offer after the training. A change usually needs a new check. Ask your employer or the authority before you plan one.
The rules for family members depend on your permit. Family reunion guide
A basic level helps a lot for the mission, the exams and daily work. The Employment Ordinance does not name a level, so check with your employer and the mission.
Words on this page
- Driver qualification (Grundqualifikation / Code 95)
- A training and exam that professional truck and bus drivers need in the EU.
- Federal Employment Agency
- The German office that agrees to the job for foreign workers.
- BeschV
- The Employment Ordinance: it lists the jobs foreigners can do and the rules.
- Quota
- A yearly maximum number of permits. This route has none.
Routes to Germany
Related routes
Skilled worker visa
For recognised skilled workers.
Skilled worker visa: Read the guide
About DastN
Placement and relocation from Berlin
DastN GmbH is a placement and relocation company in Berlin. We connect skilled people with employers in Germany and help with the steps on the way.
DastN GmbH
Kurfürstendamm 194, 10707 Berlin
HRB 230821 B
Founded in Berlin in 2021
Sources
- Employment Ordinance (BeschV), Section 24a, gesetze-im-internet.de
- Employment Ordinance (BeschV), Section 1(2): age 45 rule
- Residence Act (AufenthG), Section 19c(1)
- Residence Ordinance (AufenthV), Sections 45 and 46: fees
- Make it in Germany: Federal Government portal
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